Net revenue for the second quarter was $205.4 million, compared to $265.1 million for the same period of fiscal 2006. The decrease in net revenue primarily reflected the significant sales contributed by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion in the year-ago period, partially offset in the fiscal 2007 second quarter by strong sales of Grand Theft Auto titles and Major League Baseball 2K7 in comparison to the same franchises in the prior period. Both Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories and Major League Baseball 2K7 sold over 1 million units each during the quarter.
Net loss for the recent quarter was $51.2 million or $0.71 per share, compared to a net loss of $50.4 million or $0.71 per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2006. As compared with the year-ago period, the 2007 second quarter results reflected an improved gross margin due to lower external royalty costs, stronger margins on sports products and reduced product impairment charges. The quarter's operating results also benefited from a decrease in selling and marketing expense, along with a realization of cost benefits from the prior year development studio closings and the absence of costs related to these closings. This was offset this year by business reorganization and related expenses, and increased general and administrative expenses related to professional fees associated with the investigation of stock option grants and responses to the New York County District Attorney's subpoenas, expenses related to other legal matters, and the relocation of the Company's international headquarters.
The second quarter 2007 loss includes pre-tax expenses totaling $21.6 million for business reorganization and related costs due to the Company's recent management and board changes, legal expenses and other professional fees associated with the investigation of stock option grants, responses to the New York County District Attorney's subpoenas, and other legal matters, as well as stock-based compensation expenses. Results for the second quarter 2006 included pre-tax expenses totaling $20.4 million for asset write-offs, severance and other expenses primarily related to studio closures, and stock-based compensation expenses.
Non-GAAP net loss, excluding the expense items noted above, was $29.7 million or $0.41 per share in the second quarter of 2007, versus $37.0 million or $0.52 per share in the second quarter of 2006. (Please refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures and reconciliation information included later in this release.)
For the six months ended April 30, 2007, net revenues were $482.8 million, compared to $530.1 million for the same period a year ago. Net loss for the first half of 2007 was $72.8 million or $1.02 per share, compared to $79.5 million or $1.12 for the 2006 period. Results for the first six months of 2007 reflect pre-tax expenses totaling approximately $32.3 million related to the Company's recent management and board changes, legal expenses and other professional fees associated with the investigation of stock option grants, responses to the New York County District Attorney's subpoenas and other legal matters, and stock-based compensation expenses. Results for the first six months of 2006 included pre-tax expenses totaling $25.3 million for asset write-offs, severance and other expenses primarily related to studio closures, and stock-based compensation expenses.
Non-GAAP net loss was $40.5 million or $0.57 per share in the first six months of 2007, versus $63.5 million or $0.90 per share in the comparable period of 2006. (Please refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures and reconciliation information included later in this release.)
Take-Two's cash position was $108.5 million as of April 30, 2007.
After a comprehensive business review, Take-Two's new management team today announced the first of a series of initiatives to revitalize the Company. These initiatives are designed to enhance the efficiency of the organizational structure, support a highly creative and financially disciplined product development process, increase operating margins and improve the Company's productivity and cost-effectiveness. Take-Two said its evaluation process is continuing and expects to report on progress in additional areas in the future.
Take-Two's restructuring plan to date consists primarily of the following key elements:
- Restructure Take-Two's international operations to consolidate and align the marketing, sales and operational functions according to business discipline rather than geography to create a more efficient and responsive international organization
- Realign label and studio administrative functions to report to the respective departments at the corporate level, thereby ensuring increased control and accountability
- Consolidate the management, marketing and business development operations of the 2K and 2K Sports labels on the West Coast to improve access to resources, work more closely with the sports development teams, and provide a centralized organization to increase efficiency and better support the growth of these labels
- Consolidate third-party PC distribution into North American sales
Take-Two expects to reduce fixed overhead from these actions by approximately $25 million, which should be realized by the end of fiscal 2008 on an annualized run-rate basis. The Company anticipates approximately $15 million of charges related to the restructuring, excluding any asset impairments, through fiscal 2008, with approximately half of the charges expected in fiscal 2007.
Strauss Zelnick, Chairman, commented, "When our management team took on a leadership role at Take-Two, we committed ourselves to making this the most creative, the most innovative and the most efficient company in our industry. We also pledged to our shareholders and employees that we would present a detailed action plan within our first 100 days. With over one month remaining, we have already made significant progress in assessing the organization and launching a major restructuring initiative. We look forward to communicating the full results of our 100 day plan in early July."
Ben Feder, Chief Executive Officer, added, "We are very encouraged by the professionalism of the entire organization, the determination of our creative people to deliver great games, the commitment of our senior management team, and the strong potential of our core business. While we have much work ahead of us, our team is confident that Take-Two can achieve the objectives we envisioned when we began this process."
Mr. Feder continued, "While the decisions we are announcing today were difficult and will unfortunately require employee layoffs, we believe these necessary actions will improve the financial and operational performance of Take-Two, leading to greater value for our shareholders."
Take-Two is reiterating its guidance for fiscal 2007 of revenue in the range of $1.2 billion to $1.25 billion and break even results on a GAAP basis, including stock-based compensation expense of $0.22 per share, but excluding any charges related to the Company's reorganization expenses and restructuring initiatives. Included in the Company's reorganization expenses is additional stock-based compensation expense of $0.03 per share. Additionally, fiscal 2007 estimates only reflect tax expense for the Company's international operations.
For the third quarter ending July 31, 2007, Take-Two is providing initial guidance of net revenue in the range of $195 million to $215 million, with a GAAP net loss per share in the range of $0.60 to $0.65, including stock-based compensation expense of $0.06 per share, but excluding any charges related to the Company's reorganization expenses and restructuring initiatives. Additionally, third quarter estimates reflect no tax benefit.
For the fourth quarter ending October 31, 2007, Take-Two is providing initial guidance of net revenue in the range of $520 million to $550 million, with diluted net earnings per share in the range of $1.35 to $1.40, including stock-based compensation expense of $0.06 per share, but excluding any charges related to the Company's reorganization expenses and restructuring initiatives. Included in the Company's reorganization expenses is additional stock-based compensation expense of $0.03 per share. Additionally, fourth quarter estimates only reflect tax expense for the Company's international operations.
Key assumptions and dependencies underlying fiscal 2007 guidance include continued consumer acceptance of the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii; the ability to develop and publish products that capture market share for these next generation systems while continuing to leverage opportunities on legacy platforms; as well as the timely delivery of the titles detailed in this release.
Take-Two also announced today that Lainie Goldstein, interim Chief Financial Officer, has been named to the CFO position. Ms. Goldstein, who joined the Company in 2003 and was recently Senior Vice President of Finance, has more than 15 years of financial and business experience in the software, entertainment, retail and apparel industries. Prior to joining Take-Two, she served as Vice President, Finance and Business Development with Nautica Enterprises. A CPA, Ms. Goldstein also held positions in the audit and reorganization departments at Grant Thornton.
Mr. Feder commented, "We are pleased to fill our CFO position with a financial executive of Lainie's experience and ability. She not only brings a wealth of expertise in the industry and related businesses, but also has demonstrated her commitment to Take-Two and desire to help us reach our potential."
Take-Two has announced expected release dates for the following titles:
Title Platform Expected Release (Fiscal Period)
All-Pro Football 2K8 Xbox 360, PS3 Third quarter 2007
Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, DS Third quarter 2007
Manhunt 2 Wii, PS2, PSP Third quarter 2007
The BIGS Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP Third quarter 2007
The Darkness Xbox 360, PS3 Third quarter 2007
BioShock Xbox 360, PC Fourth quarter 2007
Carnival Games Wii Fourth quarter 2007
Grand Theft Auto IV Xbox 360, PS3 Fourth quarter 2007
NBA 2K8 Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 Fourth quarter 2007
NHL 2K8 Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 Fourth quarter 2007
Take-Two's line up announced to date for fiscal 2008 includes the following titles:
Title Platform
Beaterator PSP
College Hoops 2K8 Xbox 360, PS3, PS2
Grand Theft Auto IV - Episodic Content Xbox 360
L.A. Noire PS3
Midnight Club: Los Angeles Xbox 360, PS3
Major League Baseball 2K8 Multiple Platforms
NBA 2K9 Multiple Platforms
NHL 2K9 Multiple Platforms
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Take-Two also uses non-GAAP measures of financial performance that exclude certain non-recurring or non-cash items. Non-GAAP gross profit, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share are measures that exclude certain non-recurring or non-cash items and should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, and are not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different from similarly titled measures used by other companies.
The non-GAAP measures exclude the following items from the Company's statements of operations:
Business reorganization and related restructuring expenses
Stock-based compensation
Professional fees and expenses associated with the Company's stock options investigation and certain other unusual regulatory and legal matters
Non-cash charges related to asset write-offs in connection with business restructurings and studio closings
Severance and other costs related to studio closures
Income tax effects of the items listed above
In addition, the Company may consider whether other significant non-recurring items that arise in the future should also be excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures it uses.
The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken into consideration with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, are important in gaining an understanding of the Company's ongoing business. These non-GAAP financial measures also provide for comparative results from period to period. In addition, the Company believes it is appropriate to exclude certain items as follows:
In March 2007, the Company's stockholders elected a new slate of members to Take-Two's Board of Directors, who immediately removed the Company's former President and Chief Executive Officer. Shortly thereafter, the Company's former Chief Financial Officer resigned. As a result of these actions, the Company incurred significant costs for professional fees and severance charges and expects to incur additional costs in the future. Additionally, the new management team determined that certain intellectual property was impaired and it was written off in the second quarter. The Company believes that additional restructuring costs will occur within the 2007 and 2008 fiscal years and will primarily relate to headcount reduction, asset write-offs and associated professional fees. The Company does not engage in reorganization and restructuring activities on a regular basis and therefore believes it is appropriate to exclude business reorganization and related restructuring expenses from its non-GAAP financial measures.
Take-Two does not consider stock-based compensation charges when evaluating business performance and management does not contemplate stock-based compensation expense in their short and long-term operating plans. Furthermore, executive and management incentive compensation plans are generally based on measures that exclude the impact of stock-based compensation. The Company places greater emphasis on shareholder dilution than accounting charges when assessing the impact of stock-based equity awards.
The Company incurred significant legal and other professional fees associated with both the investigation of stock option grants and the Company's responses to the New York County District Attorney's subpoenas. One of management's primary objectives in the 2007 fiscal year is to bring conclusion to its regulatory matters. The Company has incurred substantial expenses for professional fees and has accrued for legal settlements that are outside its ordinary course of business and as a result has excluded such expenses from its non-GAAP financial measures.
In April 2006, impairment charges were recorded in connection with studio closings to write-off software development costs related to several titles in development. The impairment charges were based on an assessment of the future recoverability of capitalized software balances related to these titles and the determination that these titles were unlikely to recover capitalized costs given a change in sales expectations as a result of weaker market conditions, the closure and anticipated closure of development studios, uncertainty involved in the console transition and historical performance of the titles. This charge was recorded as a component of cost of goods sold.
In addition, impairment charges were incurred related to the write-off of certain trademarks and acquired intangibles based on management's assessment of the future value of these assets including future business prospects and estimated cash flows to be derived from these assets. This charge was recorded in depreciation and amortization expense.
The Company believes these charges were each based on a unique set of business objectives and therefore believes it is appropriate to exclude these non-cash charges related to asset write-offs from its non-GAAP financial measures.
In connection with certain studio closures in 2006, the Company incurred severance and other costs. The Company does not regularly close development studios and therefore believes it is appropriate to exclude these from its non-GAAP financial measures. These costs were recorded in research and development and general and administrative expenses.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") is a financial measure not calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Management uses EBITDA adjusted for business reorganization and related expenses ("Adjusted EBITDA"), among other measures, in evaluating the performance of the Company's business units. Adjusted EBITDA is also a significant component of the Company's incentive compensation plans. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income/(loss) prepared in accordance with GAAP.